Evil has
reared its ugly head in Lansing, MI where Satanists will display their
“Snaketivity” scene on the state capitol lawn on December 21-23. Even the devil, it seems, has a right to free
speech.
reared its ugly head in Lansing, MI where Satanists will display their
“Snaketivity” scene on the state capitol lawn on December 21-23. Even the devil, it seems, has a right to free
speech.
As repugnant
as a satanic display is, good things are coming from it. It has inspired the
donation of a nativity to be placed at the MI capitol, and it has also set off
an organized prayer response among many. One group traveled to the capitol to pray and bless the grounds with holy water.
as a satanic display is, good things are coming from it. It has inspired the
donation of a nativity to be placed at the MI capitol, and it has also set off
an organized prayer response among many. One group traveled to the capitol to pray and bless the grounds with holy water.
There
was originally no Christian Nativity scene at the capitol this year because of
a new state law that does not allow permanent displays. Everything must be taken down at night. But in response to the snaketivity scene
going up, a nativity was donated from Bronners Christmas Village in
Frankenmueth, MI. Volunteers will take it down as required at 11 PM, and can
set it up at 6AM the next morning.
was originally no Christian Nativity scene at the capitol this year because of
a new state law that does not allow permanent displays. Everything must be taken down at night. But in response to the snaketivity scene
going up, a nativity was donated from Bronners Christmas Village in
Frankenmueth, MI. Volunteers will take it down as required at 11 PM, and can
set it up at 6AM the next morning.
Meaning of the Snake Display
The Detroit chapter of the SatanicTemple’s display has a snake wrapped around the Satanic cross and presenting a
book as a holiday gift. The cross reads:
“The greatest gift is knowledge.” Doesn’t that argument ever get old?
The tree of knowledge of good and evil
did Adam and Eve no favors.
Jex Blackmore, a member of
Detroit’s Satanic Temple explained on Fox
17 News, “We were inspired by the concept of nativity,” she said. “The snake
represents the birth of enlightenment and liberation.”
Detroit’s Satanic Temple explained on Fox
17 News, “We were inspired by the concept of nativity,” she said. “The snake
represents the birth of enlightenment and liberation.”
Seriously?
Without God, there is no enlightenment–only darkness. And liberty? Pope Leo
XIII (1878-1903) gave this insight on liberty in his encyclical Libertas praestantissimum (On Human
Liberty): “If freedom meant the capacity to choose anything at all, including
evil, then God and the blessed angels would not be free.” True freedom, according to Leo, is to live in
union with God.
Without God, there is no enlightenment–only darkness. And liberty? Pope Leo
XIII (1878-1903) gave this insight on liberty in his encyclical Libertas praestantissimum (On Human
Liberty): “If freedom meant the capacity to choose anything at all, including
evil, then God and the blessed angels would not be free.” True freedom, according to Leo, is to live in
union with God.
 |
| See:paintedfaith.net |
Since the
holiday offers time with family and friends come together in conversation,
Blackmore said she thinks it’s a good idea to have conversations about
divergent beliefs. Sure, let’s have
those conversations, but keep in mind that if we disagree, we cannot both be
right. There is only one truth. Seek
it. Where there is God, there is
truth.
Christian Response
When Joann Harper heard about Snaketivity, she prayed and asked God what her response to the evil display should be. “Prayer” was her answer. Joann went travelled with her husband and others to the capitol to pray a rosary for those lost in darkness and bless the grounds with holy water.
“When you look at the spokesperson for the Satanic group, (Jex) she looks just like a regular lady you would see walking by you at the mall,” Joann said. “But she is someone’s daughter. We need to not just pray for the Satanists but for their families too. Entire families need to be healed.”
Rather than discouragement over the satanic display, Joann said she looks at this as an opportunity. “We will join those in Lansing, united in prayer, praise and thanksgiving that ‘people in darkness have seen a great light!’” she said.
Everyone will unite in prayer from his or her homes, hopefully throughout the world. “Pray with us from the steps of your own home, any for a little while each night, my family will pray and light a candle to pierce the darkness in at least one person’s life who is involved in any kind of satanic oppression,” Joann said. “ It’s a time of prayer and of love and light, as we wait for Christ to come.”
Joann pointed out that this controversy brings out the very things that Jesus came to heal—lost people thinking they don’t need a savior. She warned however that we must be even more concerned about the darkness we don’t see. “This creates a beautiful opportunity to bring light to people who are suffering and wounded terribly,” she said. “Msgr. John Esseff, (retired exorcist in PA) once wrote to our family that: ‘Prayer is the most powerful gift in the world.’ In prayer, we claim these seemingly lost souls for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the King of the Universe to build His Kingdom of Love. If we don’t, who will? And if not now, when?
Joann is inviting everyone to please give the gift of prayer for people and their families who are imprisoned by great darkness “Let us bring love and light,” she said. “We’re asking Jesus, through Mary, to set these captives free!
When Joann Harper heard about Snaketivity, she prayed and asked God what her response to the evil display should be. “Prayer” was her answer. Joann went travelled with her husband and others to the capitol to pray a rosary for those lost in darkness and bless the grounds with holy water.
“When you look at the spokesperson for the Satanic group, (Jex) she looks just like a regular lady you would see walking by you at the mall,” Joann said. “But she is someone’s daughter. We need to not just pray for the Satanists but for their families too. Entire families need to be healed.”
Rather than discouragement over the satanic display, Joann said she looks at this as an opportunity. “We will join those in Lansing, united in prayer, praise and thanksgiving that ‘people in darkness have seen a great light!’” she said.
Everyone will unite in prayer from his or her homes, hopefully throughout the world. “Pray with us from the steps of your own home, any for a little while each night, my family will pray and light a candle to pierce the darkness in at least one person’s life who is involved in any kind of satanic oppression,” Joann said. “ It’s a time of prayer and of love and light, as we wait for Christ to come.”
Joann pointed out that this controversy brings out the very things that Jesus came to heal—lost people thinking they don’t need a savior. She warned however that we must be even more concerned about the darkness we don’t see. “This creates a beautiful opportunity to bring light to people who are suffering and wounded terribly,” she said. “Msgr. John Esseff, (retired exorcist in PA) once wrote to our family that: ‘Prayer is the most powerful gift in the world.’ In prayer, we claim these seemingly lost souls for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the King of the Universe to build His Kingdom of Love. If we don’t, who will? And if not now, when?
Joann is inviting everyone to please give the gift of prayer for people and their families who are imprisoned by great darkness “Let us bring love and light,” she said. “We’re asking Jesus, through Mary, to set these captives free!
_______________________________________________________
For more inspiration, check out Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories From Everyday Families. Your children will laugh while learning big spiritual lessons with Dear God, I Don’t Get It! and Dear God, You Can’t Be Serious.
Follow Patti at Twitter and like her Facebook pages at Dear God Books, Big Hearted Families and Catholic News & Inspiration on Facebook.
